Chemistry encoding

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for encoding chemistry information on an identification device used to identify containers of biological matter such as blood samples, the apparatus including superimposed dies each having a plurality of rows of apertures, the apertures of one die being in alignment with the apertures of the other die, the dies being spaced one from another to receive the identification device between the dies. A stylus, having a tip for penetrating the identification device, is selectively inserted through the aligned apertures in the two dies thereby perforating (encoding) the device at one or more predetermined sites. Each perforation represents a chemical test or a set of tests to be performed on the biological matter in the container. A verifier is provided so that when the stylus perforates the device at a given site, an electrical circuit is completed to illuminate a corresponding portion of a display panel for optical indication to the operator of the true nature of the encoding which has taken place.

United States Patent [72] inventors DwlghtJ. Bushnell References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,943,400 7/1960 Griswold 35/48 R x 8/l963Boissevain 35/48 R x Murray; Max Glen Worthington, Salt Lake City, bothof Utah Primary Examiner- William S. Lawson Attorney- Lynn G. FosterABSTRACT: Method and apparatus for encoding chemistry information on anidentification device used to identify containers of biological mattersuch as blood samples, the apparatus including superimposed dies eachhaving a plurality of rows of apertures, the apertures of one die beingin alignment with the apertures of the other die, the dies being spacedone from another to receive the identification device between the dies.A stylus, having a tip for penetrating the identification device, isselectively inserted through the aligned apertures in the two diesthereby perforating (encoding) the device at one or more predeterminedsites. Each perforation represents a chemical test or a set of tests tobe performed on the biological matter in the container. A verifier isprovided so that when the stylus perforates the device at a given site,an electrical circuit is completed to illuminate a corresponding portionof a display panel for optical indication to the operator of the truenature of the encoding which has taken place.

PATENTEUNnv' 91971 SHEET 1 [IF 2 NVENTORS.

J BUSHNELL m DWI BYMAX GLEN WORTHINGTON ATTORNEY BACKGROUND 1. Field ofthe Invention The invention relates generally to chemistry selection andparticularly to apparatus and methods for permanently encoding chemistryinformation on an identification device and for verifying the accuracyof the encoded information.

2. The Prior Art It is well known in hospital procedures that much careis required to carefully supervise the critically importantidentification of specimens and samples taken from patients for suchpurposes as laboratory analysis and the like. Also, it is criticallyimportant to ensure that the proper identification remains on allreports resulting from clinical determinations conducted upon thespecimens and samples. No less important is the need for properidentification of prescribing and administering medication to patients.

For example, frequently a physician will prescribe one or more clinicaltests to be run or conducted upon a blood sample. To effectuate theprescription, the physician will handwrite the order on a request slipwhich will be delivered to a laboratory. Thereafter, a blood sample iscollected from the patient for whom the physician ordered the laboratorytests and the name of the person is handwritten upon the bloodcollection tube. Later, when the blood collection tube is returned tothe laboratory for analysis, the patients name and the particular bloodtest or tests must be copied onto a report form. After the analysis iscompleted, the results of the analysis are copied onto the report form.

The described recording and reporting procedures are extremely timeconsuming and substantial risk exists that the blood samples, theresults of the tests, and the names of patients may be comingledresulting in improper treatment or lack of treatment to some patients,with the attending risk of injury or loss of life.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present inventionincludes method and apparatus which provide for encoding chemistryinformation on an identification device associated with a receptaclecontaining biological matter to be tested, the chemistry informationidentifying clinical determinations ordered by a physician. Also, averifying method and apparatus are provided to indicate the manner inwhich the identification device has been encoded.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide novelapparatus and method for encoding chemistry information upon anidentification device.

It is another principal object of the present invention to provide novelapparatus and method for verifying information encoded upon anidentification device.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective representationof a presently preferred apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective representation of the encoder andverification display panel of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section similar to the cross section of FIG. 3 alsoillustrating the manner in which the identification device isperforated;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the verifier concerning the manner inwhich the display panel is selectively illuminated to identify thespecific sites which are perforated or encoded; and

FIG. 6 is a modified circuit diagram similar in most respects to thecircuit diagram of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT While the instantinvention has many applications, the presently preferred embodiment willbe described hereafter in connection with the encoding of identificationdevices, each attached to a blood sample tube, with informationpertaining to clinical laboratory procedures to be performed underauthority granted by a physician. Throughout this specification, likenumerals designate like parts.

General Referring now to FIG. 1, a console, generally designated 20, hasparallel sides 22 and 24 and parallel ends 26 and 28 which are joinedtogether to form an erect rectangle. The console 20 has a bottom (notshown) and a plurality of compartments 30, 32, 34, and 36 which open tothe exterior of the console at the top surface 38. The compartments areconvenient receptacles for blood collection tubes, order forms andstorage of auxiliary equipment and supplies. Also, the console isprovided with a plurality of aligned spaced apertures 40 in the toppanel 38 of a tray, which apertures are sized so as to receiveconventional blood collection tubes 42. Thus, the top panel 38 inconjunction with the console 20 define a tube rack. Each bloodcollection tube is illustrated as being provided with a rubber stopper43, as is conventional, to prevent loss or contamination of the bloodwithin the tube.

The console 20 comprises a wedge-shaped platform 42 which slopesdownwardly toward the front side 24 of the console. The exposed inclinedsurface 46 of the platform 44 presents the display panel of a codeverifier, generally designated 48, and an encoder, generally designated50.

The encoder 50 operates on identification devices 52 which areillustrated as being removably attached to blood collection tubes 42.Each identification device 52 is preferably of onepiece constructioncomprising a split collar 54 and a laterally projecting encoded andencodable plate 56. The device 52 is preferably made of frangiblematerial such as plastic with a relatively low shear resistance, and, ifdesired, may have a plurality of weakened or recessed encodable sites 58(see FIG. 4) which are useful for a purpose hereinafter more fullydescribed. In the preferred orientation, a blood collection tube 42 isinserted into the collar 54 in press-fit relation so that thelongitudinal axis of the plate 56 is parallel to but offset from theaxis of the tube 42.

The Encoder Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the encoder 50 will be morefully described. The encoder 50 comprises an upper mask, punch or dieplate 60 which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, has a central recess 62fabricated at its underside. The recess 62 opens at the right edge 61 asshown in the FIGS. and longitudinally traverses between shoulders 63 and65 of the die plate 60. The recess 62 also terminates at concealedshoulder 67 of the die plate 60.

The die plate 60 is preferably formed of hardened metal and is screwed,bolted or otherwise rigidly secured adjacent the shoulders 63 and 65 tothe sloping surface 46 of the platform 44. The die plate 60 has aplurality of rows of bores 64 each of which passes completely throughthe thickness of the die plate and opens at the recess 62. Thearrangement and spacing of the bores 64 correspond to the arrangementand spacing of the encodable sites at a selected portion of the plate56. As can be appreciated by reference to FIG. 2, the bores 64 are shownas being grouped closely together at one location which leaves asubstantial portion of the die plate 60 without bores. Thus, a givenplate 56 of a device 52 may be encoded with desired identification data,such as patient identification, medication identification, dosage andthe like as at 95, before or after the plate 56 is encoded withchemistry information by the encoder 50. Obviously, any identificationinformation encoded upon the plate 56 would be at locations other thanthe encodable sites in the plate 56 reserved for chemistry information.

The recess 62 between the die plates is sized to readily receive andproperly position the plate 56 below the die 60.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the die plate 60 is superimposed over alower mask, punch or die plate 66 and separated therefrom by the recess62. The lower die plate 66 is situated within a rectangular opening 68of a stepped passageway in the platform 44, the passageway presenting anupwardly directed shoulder 70 and comprising a lower opening 72 leavingthe underside of the die plate 66 exposed to the hollow interior 74 oftheplatform 44. The die plate 66 rests upon the shoulders 70 and issecured thereto by screws or in any other satisfactory way.

The die 66 has a plurality of bores 76 each of which is axially alignedand in registry with one bore 64 of the die plate 60. The bores 76 openat the underside 78 of the die plate 66 and electrical contactsschematically shown at 80 are disposed near the bottom of each bore 76,for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully-described.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the encoder 50 also comprises a stylus 82which includes a handle 84 tapering conically at 86 and terminating in apunching tip 88. For reasons to be subsequently more completelydescribed, the tip 88 of the stylus 82 is connected by an electricalconductor 90 to an electrical power source 92 (see FIG. The conductor 90is preferably insulated to prevent a short circuit.

Having described the encoder 50, the method of encoding chemistryinformation in a plate 56 utilizing the encoder 50 will now bedescribed. The plate 56 may either be encoded while attached at thecollar 54 to a tube 42, as shown in FIG. 1, or encoded when not attachedto the tube 42, as shown in FIG. 2. In either event, the plate 56 isinserted by rectilinear translation into the recess 62 between the dieplates 60 and 66 in the direction of arrow 94 and utilizing theorientation illustrated in FIG. 2. The plate 56 is forced as far aspossible into the recess 62 causing the encodable sites 58 to be alignedwith axially disposed bores 64 and 76.

The person encoding the plate 56 will identify the bores 64 whichcorrespond to the clinical determinations which a physician hasprescribed to be conducted on a blood sample associated with the plate56.

When the particular bore or bores 64 have been selected by the operatorin keeping with the physicians order, the stylus 82 is positioned sothat the tip 88 is successively inserted into the selected bores 64. Asthe stylus is forced downward through each selected bore 64, the alignedfrangible site 58 will be punched out 'of the plate 56, displacedthrough the aligned bore in the die plate 66 and deposited in the cavity74 of the console 20. Each punched site then becomes a perforation 96.The particular locations of the perforations 96 (FIGS. 1 and 4)represent particular chemical tests or other determinations to beconducted in the laboratory upon the blood sample identified by theencoded plate 56.

Verifying the code With continued reference to FIG. 4, it can beobserved that when the stylus 82 perforates a frangible site from theplate 56, the tip 88 of the stylus will touch the adjacent contact 80.As previously mentioned, the tip 88 of the stylus is electricallyenergized from a power source 92 (FIG. 5) such as a battery. Electricalenergy from the positive terminal of the power source 92 will passthrough the contact 80 immediately beneath the perforation and beconducted through the associated line 98 to the gate of onesilicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) 100. When the one SCR 100 is soenergized, state is altered allowing electrical energy in line 101 toreach an associated conventional electric light bulb 102. The light bulb102, which is connected by the associated line 103 to the energized SCR100 and by the associated line 104 to the negative terminal of the powersource, is thereby illuminated. All lights so illuminated will remain onuntil the normally open switch 105, which is closed during the encodingof a plate 56, disconnects the power source from the illuminated lights.When the switch 105 so disconnects the power source, the previouslyenergized SCR's 100 return to their original off state. Preferably, theswitch 105 is exposed at the recess 62 between the die plates so thatthe switch is inherently closed by inser' tion of the plate 56 into therecess 62 and is inherently open by removal of the plate 56 by therecess 62.

Each light bulb 102 is disposed in a separate compartment 106 havingopaque walls 108 to prevent light from one bulb 102 from beingtransferred into an adjacent compartment 106. Each compartment 106 ismounted upon a common display panel 110 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) which isdivided into rectangular segments 112. The rectangular segments 112 areequal in number to the bores 64 in the die plate 60 and to thechemistry-encodable sites in the plate 56. Also, the relative positionsand individual indicia of each rectangular segment 112 corresponds tothe respective positions of the encodable sites for chemistryinformation in the plate 56.

The rectangular segments 112 are preferably formed of translucentmaterial and are disposed in alignment with corresponding compartments106. Thus, when the stylus 82 perforates a site in the plate 56, thelocation of the perforation will be visually communicated to theoperator by illumination of the light bulb 102 in the rectangularsegment 112 which corresponds in position to the location of thelast-mentioned perforation in the plate 56. If desired, each of therectangular segments 112 may carry indicia 114 corresponding to theidentity of the frangible sites available in the plate 56. The indicia114 may take the form of numerals, words and/or the like representativeof the clinical determinations authorized by the physician.

With reference to FIG. 6, the circuit 48a is identical in all respectsto the previously described circuit 48 where common numerals are used.However, the stylus 820, comprising a handle 84a, a taper 86a and anelectrically conductive tip 88a, is not electrically energized. Instead,electrical energy from the positive terminal of the source 92 passesthrough the line a to the die plate 60, which is electrically insulatedfrom the contacts 80. Thus, when the tip 88a of the stylus penetratesthe plate 56, it will serve as an electrical conductor of energy betweenthe plate 60 and the juxtaposed contact 80 turning the associated SCRand light on," in the manner hereinbefore described.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the foregoing description, and all changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are thereforeto be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. In a method of encoding an identification blank having apredetermined length and width, the steps of:

situating the identification blank in alignment with an array ofapertures in mask means so that a solid encodable site is adjacent eachaperture;

displacing stylus means through selected ones of the apertures;

encoding each encodable site adjacent the apertures through which thestylus means are displaced by causing the stylus means to impressinformation representation upon the blank;

supplying electrical power to the stylus means;

completing an electrical circuit through the stylus means as eachinformation representation is impressed upon the blank; and

confirming by electrical signal through the circuit when and whereencoding has taken place.

2. In a method of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said confirmingstep comprises visually verifying which of the encodable sites in theblank have been encoded by illuminating with said electric signalsselected ones of an array of indicators corresponding in arrangement tothe array of apertures in the mask means.

3. An encoder for encoding an information device, the encodercomprising:

mask means comprising a matrix of apertures and a chamber adapted toreceive the identification device, the chamber having a common ingressand egress opening;

stylus means adapted to be displaced through selected apertures in themask means and to encode the identification device at sites adjacenteach selected aperture; and

electrical circuit means completed by penetration of said stylus throughsaid apertures to provide a signal indicating which of said sites hasbeen encoded.

4. An encoder-verifier comprising:

stylus means;

encoding means including identification device-receiving mask meansexposing only an array of encodable sites to the stylus means wherebyselective displacement of the stylus means through the mask means causesinformation representations to be impressed upon the device atpredetermined sites;

electrical power source means;

electrical switch means disposed adjacent the mask means and electricalcircuitry in communication with the electrical switch means to close acircuit as the identification device is encoded at each site;

an array of indicators corresponding to the pattern of exposed encodablesites and in communication with the circuitry whereby each indicatorcorresponding in relative location where an information representationis impressed is energized upon the closing of a circuit to confirm thelocation of each site receiving an information representation.

5. In a method of encoding a container with a sample of biologicalmaterial therein;

providing a container having an identification device with an array ofencodable sites;

disposing the device adjacent a mask having a matrix of apertures eachexposing one encodable site;

bringing a stylus into registry with at least a selected one of thealigned apertures and punching a hole in the adjacent exposed site;

verifying at a remote display the existence and location of the punchedhole at said last-mentioned site while the device remains in the definedposition.

6. Apparatus for defining clinical tests to be performed on biologicalmatter disposed in a container;

a frangible blank united to the sample container; die means having aplurality of spaced apertures and cavity means to receive the blank inalignment with the apertures, each aperture corresponding to at leastone clinical determination to be made in relation to the biologicalmatter;

stylus means comprising (a) tip means to be placed in registry withselected apertures and to penetrate the blank at sites aligned with saidselected apertures to create perforations selectively in the blank and(b) means for actuating a remote display to verify the location of eachpenetration made in the blank.

7. In a method of correlating clinical determinations to be made uponbiological matter with the patient from whom the biological matter wasobtained, to reduce the probability of error and save time, comprising:

providing a container housing the biological matter having anidentification portion bearing indicia identifying the patient andpresenting an encodable area;

placing the encodable area of the identification portion at an encodingstation thereby exposing an array of encodable sites in the encodablearea;

encoding selected ones of the sites representative of the clinicaldeterminations to be performed;

physically completing electrical circuits causing electrical signalscorresponding to the sites so encoded to be generated whereby theaccuracy or inaccuracy of the preceding step may be determined.

8. An encoder-verifier of the type defined in claim 4 wherein saidelectrical circuitry comprises (a) first circuit means oining the powersource means to the switch means at

1. In a method of encoding an identification blank having apredetermined length and width, the steps of: situating theidentification blank in alignment with an array of apertures in maskmeans so that a solid encodable site is adjacent each aperture;displacing stylus means through selected ones of the apertures; encodingeach encodable site adjacent the apertures through which the stylusmeans are displaced by causing the stylus means to impress informationrepresentation upon the blank; supplying electrical power to the stylusmeans; completing an electrical circuit through the stylus means as eachinformation representation is impressed upon the blank; and confirmingby electrical signal through the circuit when and where encoding hastaken place.
 2. In a method of the type defined in claim 1 wherein saidconfirming step comprises visually verifying which of the encodablesites in the blank have been encoded by illuminating with said electricsignals selected ones of an array of indicators corresponding inarrangement to the array of apertures in the mask means.
 3. An encoderfor encoding an information device, the encoder comprising: mask meanscomprising a matrix of apertures and a chamber adapted to receive theidentification device, the chamber having a common ingress and egressopening; stylus means adapted to be displaced through selected aperturesin the mask means and to encode the identification device at sitesadjacent each selected aperture; and electrical circuit means completedby penetration of said stylus through said apertures to provide a signalindicating which of said sites has been encoded.
 4. An encoder-verifiercomprising: stylus means; encoding means including identificationdevice-receiving mask means exposing only an array of encodable sites tothe stylus means whereby selective displacement of the stylus meansthrough the mask means causes information representations to beimpressed upon the device at predetermined sites; electrical powersource means; electrical switch means disposed adjacent the mask meansand electrical circuitry in communication with the electrical switchmeans to close a circuit as the identification device is encoded at eachsite; an array of indicators corresponding to the pattern of exposedencodable sites and in communication with the circuitry whereby eachindicator corresponding in relative location where an informationrepresentation is impressed is energized upon the closing of a circuitto confirm the location of each site receiving an informationrepresentation.
 5. In a method of encoding a container with a sample ofbiological material therein; providing a container having anidentification device with an array of encodable sites; disposing thedevice adjacent a mask having a matrix of apertures each exposing oneencodable site; bringing a stylus into registry with at least a selectedone of the aligned apertures and punching a hole in the adjacent exposedsite; verifying at a remote display the existence and location of thepunched hole at said last-mentioned site while the device remains in thedefined position.
 6. Apparatus for defining clinical tests to beperformed on biological matter disposed in a container; a frangibleblank united to the sample container; die means having a plurality ofspaced apertures and cavity means to receive the blank in alignment withthe apertures, each aperture corresponding to at least one clinicaldetermination to be made in relation to the biological matter; stylusmeans comprising (a) tip means to be placed in registry with selectedapertures and to penetrate the blank at sites aligned with said selectedapertures to create perforations selectively in the blank and (b) meansfor actuating a remote display to verify the location of eachpenetration made in the blank.
 7. In a method of correlating clinicaldeterminations to be made upon biological matter with the patient fromwhom the biological matter was obtained, to reduce the probability oferror and save time, comprising: providing a container housing thebiological matter having an identification portion bearing indiciaidentifying the patient and presenting an encodable area; placing theencodable area of the identification portion at an encoding stationthereby exposing an array of encodable sites in the encodable area;encoding selected ones of the sites representative of the clinicaldeterminations to be performed; physically completing electricalcircuits causing electrical signals corresponding to the sites soencoded to be generated whereby the accuracy or inaccuracy of thepreceding step may be determined.
 8. An encoder-verifier of the typedefined in claim 4 wherein said electrical circuitry comprises (a) firstcircuit means joining the power source means to the switch means atleast while a site is encoded to close a circuit and (b) second circuitmeans for holding the mentioned circuit closed even though the stylusmeans is removed after said site has been encoded.